Inspired by their learning experiences and having mastered the skills they need, British School of Washington students are exctied by their onward journey and have access to a wealth of opportunity.

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme provides excellent preparation for higher education, by encouraging students to ask challenging questions and giving them the opportunity to develop independent research and writing skills as they investigate subjects of personal interest. The resulting Diploma is highly-regarded by universities all over the world.

Students applying to American colleges and universities are able to prepare for and take SAT tests.

Our College Counselor advises, helps and supports students as they make important decisions about their futures, to ensure that they are able to go to the college or university that is right for them. BSW students receive acceptances from the world's leading universities, and we have an inspiring placement record.

College Counsellor Breakfast

BSW hosted a breakfast for college counsellors from local schools to hear a joint presentation with representatives from King's College, London and
University College, London. The counselors learned about university options in London, gaining a precise insight into the unique nature of the entry process into British universities, as well as the many advantages of studying in a world-class academic center such as London. All those attending found the event highly informative and felt much better prepared to advise their students who are thinking about studying in the UK.

Year 13 Graduation

With a graduating class of 27, this was the largest cohort to date. The ceremony took place in the impressive setting of the Lansburgh Theatre in downtown DC, normally home to the elevated language of Shakespeare and so an appropriate setting for the British School of Washington’s graduation.

Elegant formality is probably the best way to describe the proceedings. The graduands processed through the audience to take their positions on the flower-attired stage to the accompaniment of music provided by a staff and pupil musical ensemble and after introductory remarks from the interim Head Ann McPhee brief verbal portraits of the first half of the graduands were painted by IB co-ordinator Mr. Scott Hussey. A musical interlude then brought us to verbal portraits of the remaining graduands, this time by their Form Tutor, Elen Haf-Wiliams. A second musical interlude then took us to the keynote speaker – Mr. Philip Barton, Deputy Head of Mission of the British Embassy. His elegantly succinct remarks provided much food for thought and thanks were given by a member of the graduating class.

Next Mr. Peter Harding presided over perhaps the most important part of the ceremony – the presentation of the graduation certificates and once this was complete and the all important tassel ritual was undertaken, graduands became graduates.

There were then brief and entertaining reminiscences  from  four very long-serving members of the graduating class – Nik and Neha Rajpal, Emily Foster (all of whom were pupils on the very first day of the school in 1998) and Azmi Simms who joined very shortly after the opening. Finally a parent, Mrs. Rahel Simms offered her thoughts about the school and her long-term association with and commitment to it.

The ceremony ended with the graduates processing out through the wildly applauding auditorium, bearing a floral gift for the appropriate nearest and dearest in their family.

After the obligatory hurling of caps into the air (with only one getting lodged on the light in the lobby) everyone moved next door to Sei restaurant where a graduation cake decorated with a photograph of the graduates was cut, a gift of an engraved paperweight from the school to all graduates was distributed and an evening of general levity and merriment brought the event to a highly enjoyable conclusion.